British North America

Unit 2

The BIG Questions

1. Where and why did colonists settle in British North America after the fall of New France?

2. How did key people and events shape

the new British colonies? 3. What were the causes, events and

results of the War of 1812?

Question #1

Where and why did colonists settle in British North

America after the fall of New France?

Quebec and Its people

After New France fell to British control in the 1760s, many of the French pioneers who were in the area were afraid of what would become of their culture and ways of life.

The Quebec Act (1774) protected many of their ways, so it was possible for a French colony to survive in the area that was renamed as Quebec.

There were many different groups within Quebec, and each group wanted something

different from the British government.Group Population What they wanted

Canadiens 70 000 -To keep their French and Roman Catholic lifestyle- To continue having coureurs des bois to push fur trade into the interior

English merchants and farmers

300-500 -To take over the entire fur trade - change way of life in Quebec from French to English- settle in the interior by getting free land there- set up farms there

First Nations 59 000 -Keep traditional way of life and involvement in fur trade-Prevent more settlers moving into interior

13 American colonies 2 500 000 -Expand into Quebec and the Ohio Valley-Expand control of the fur trade

The ‘Carrot’ or the ‘Stick’?

• The British government could have dealt with these groups in two different ways.

READ: pgs H 72-73 in textbook

- Record notes about :- “Stick Supporters”- “Carrot Supporters”ANSWER What do YOU think?, Q1-2 and HAND IN

How the British dealt with the Groups

• The British chose to use the ‘Carrot’, instead of the ‘Stick’. In 1763, King George III of Britain declared a Royal Proclamation.

• It related to all of Britain’s colonies in North America.

• Royal Proclamation affected Quebec because:– Britain now controlled all France’s territories in

regions including New France and Acadia– English civil law would replace French law. The

seigneurial system was abolished.– The rest of New France would be First Nations

territory and all Canadiens living in First Nations territory had to leave

– Anyone involved in the fur trade in the First Nations territory had to have a licence from the crown

• The Royal Proclamation worked to coax the French at times and push at others.

BUT!!!!!!• Do you think this was the best way to make

everyone happy?

The Thirteen Colonies• The British had 13 colonies that stretched

south along the eastern coast, that were filled with many different people with many different ideas. Each of the colonies were quite different from one another because of the resources they had and the type of people that founded them.

MAP• 13 colonies:

– Maine– New Hampshire– Massachusetts– Rhode Island– Connecticut– New York– Pennsylvania– New Jersey– Virginia– Delaware– Maryland– North Carolina– South Carolina – Georgia

• The northern colonies had large forests and winters were severe

• The middle colonies had rich agricultural lands for grains and vegetables

• The southern colonies were hot and rich crops, like cotton and rice, grew well there.

• There were differences in religion too, from Protestants, Roman Catholics and Pilgrims

• Although the colonies had all these differences, there was a growing sense that they were becoming strong and independent from Britain as a united force.

• During the Seven Years’ War, the British began to increase taxes in the colonies– This leads to protests, like the Boston Tea Party

• The Ohio Valley– This area was key to North American expansion for

the 13 colonies, the Canadiens and the First Nations

– The Royal Proclamation cut this area off for the 13 colonies, and would prove crucial in their future.

• The Quebec Act (1774)– This replaced the Royal Proclamation, and set out

to establish French rights– It was good for the Canadiens, but upset many of

the other groups

INSERT CHART

• The Quebec Act was good for the Quebecois, but the 13 colonies were OUTRAGED

• In 1776, the 13 colonies stated the AMERICAN DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE– Representatives from the 13 colonies held a meeting in

Philadelphia, called the Continental Congress.– On July 4th, 1776 they declared that the United States of

America was an independent nation and war was declared against Britain

– The American Revolutionary war lasted until 1783

• Which side would Quebec take?– The Continental Congress sent appeals to the

Quebecois to join the Americans– The Quebecois did not give immediate support to

the Americans, so the Americans invaded!

– Generals Montgomery and Benedict Arnold led troops against Montreal and Quebec, but were defeated by both the weather and the fighters

– It was clear now that Quebec would not support them against the British

United Empire Loyalists

– Not everyone in the 13 colonies were against the British.– United Empire Loyalists were against the idea of

independence, and therefore went against the Patriots, who were for it.

–As the battles between the British and Patriots became fiercer, it became clear that the Patriots were winning• The Loyalists had been persecuted by the Patriots;

their homes were burnt and families were publicly humiliated• To gain more support, the British promised Free-

Land in Quebec, Nova Scotia and P.E.I. to Loyalists, for fighting with the British• About 50 000 Loyalists settled in the area and

worked hard to build and support the regions

The Second Treaty of Paris (1783)• By 1783, the Americans had militarily defeated the British.• In order to find peace between the two groups, Benjamin

Franklin and other representatives negotiated with Britain and on September 3, 1783, a second Treaty of Paris was signed

It outlined:- Britain recognized American Independence- US got control of the Ohio Valley- Americans could fish off the coast of Quebec and other

British colonies- All British troops had to leave the United States- Loyalists could no longer be prosecuted, and their

property had to be returned

SO! How did Britain deal with the Various Groups

• Quebecois- Quebec Act• Gave them rights to religion, property and traditional ways

of life• First Nations- Small Pox– Gave them highly infectious disease, which basically

destroyed their societies and military strength• 13 colonies – American Revolution– Tried to tax the colonies– Colonies revolted– British lost control of the United States and now faced

military competition in North America

Back to the BIG QUESTION 1

Where and why did colonists settle in British North America after the fall of

New France?

QUEST!!!

Big Question #2

How did key people and events shape the new British colonies?

The Loyalists• Quebec was not the only British colony in the

area during the late 1700s. There was also Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. These groups made up British North America.

• The Loyalists came to British North America to escape persecution in the United States.

• The Loyalists were a mixed group, that had little in common, except that they were opposed to American Independence.

Group Details

Merchants (store owners) and farmers - Abandoned property in the 13 colonies

Small landowners, former British soldiers, and people hoping for religious tolerance

-Had little more than their clothing and some small possessions- hoped to become richer in BNA

Black slaves - Accompanied their Loyalist owners

Escaped black slaves Used the migration as a way of escaping from their owners and becoming free people

• The Loyalists’ early years in BNA were not always easy.– Many sacrificed their entire way of life– Many faced isolation, away from their family and

friends

• HOWEVER! They did receive assistance from the Crown for resettling– Living conditions improved for many– Their role in keeping BNA loyal to the Crown was

highly valued– To honour them, the Crown declared that they

would put U.E., after their name to distinguish them from others

Where the Loyalists Settled

• They were concentrated in ‘three’ locations

1. Nova Scotia2. New Brunswick3. Quebec4. Lake Ontario and Lake Erie Regions

1. Nova Scotia• In 1776, the first shipload of Loyalists left New

York for Nova Scotia• In all, about 30 000 Loyalists settled in Nova

Scotia• Many belonged to minority groups, mostly

religious, and felt they needed protection.• They were the: Huguenots(French Protestants)

and Quakers(opposed all violence and war)

IMPORTANT PERSON

• BOSTON KING (1783)– Black Loyalists also fought and received

land, but White society in Nova Scotia rejected them, and many ended up creating their own separate communities.

– Boston King was part of a group that formed Birchtown, a Black community near Shelburne, Nova Scotia

– It would become the largest free Black community in North America

King Continued• Free Black Loyalists who lived in Birchtown

were paid less than normal rate for the little work they could find

• Unemployed and poor white Loyalists and soldiers took their frustration out on the Blacks in Shelburne– 1784: they attacked and rioted through Birchtown– King had escaped slavery in South Carolina– He was disheartened by the treatment of his

people in Nova Scotia, so he and his wife left in 1791

2. New Brunswick

• New Brunswick was a part of Nova Scotia until 1784

• Many of the same people and groups settled there, as Nova Scotia

3. Quebec

• Some Loyalists from New England migrated to the St. Lawrence region of Quebec

• Many settled east of Montreal, because everywhere else had already been settled

• This area is now known as The Eastern Townships

4.Lake Ontario and Lake Erie Regions

• Loyalists had a huge impact on this region, as before the 1780s only First Nations lived there

• Many of the regiments of British soldiers that had to flee the United States, disbanded in the Niagara and Kingston areas

• There were also many important groups of First Nations who had fought with the British, that relocated to the region

IMPORTANT PERSON

JOSEPH BRANT ( Thayendanegea)- He was one of the best known leaders of the Mohawk people - His people were originally from New York, but he believed their future lay in BNA- HOWEVER! His lands had been signed away to the Americans in the Second Treaty of Paris, and his people were betrayed by the British

Brant con’t

• The British Commander in Quebec realized the injustice done to Brant and his people, and so opened up about 2750 square kilometres along the Grand River for their settlement

• It was known as THE SIX NATIONS RESERVE, and was to remain as a reward for the loyalty that Brant showed the crown

• Following governors had different ideas, and slowly over time the land was taken away bit-by-bit– Cambridge and Brantford sit on parts of the reserve today

4. Continued• Development of the Lake Ontario and Erie Regions– Colonel John Butler moved his regiment into the region in

1784– His followers started the town of Newark, now known as

Niagra-on-the-Lake– Civilian loyalists set up small communities, which later

grew into large cities (Burlington, Kingston, etc.)– There were many skilled trades in the communities, so

trade was good– The United Empire Loyalists would succeed in their new

communities, regardless of their losses in the war

Loyalist Expand

• By the late 1790’s, there were about 12 000 Loyalists settled in what is now, Southern Ontario

• They felt entitled to support from the Crown, because of their loyalties

• Fairly soon, they began to ask the government to change the law of Quebec, to be more English.

How the Loyalists Changed the Face of Quebec

• Textbook H101-H105

• Read and complete the questions provided

• SUBMIT To me WHEN COMPLETED

Question 3

What were the causes, events and

results of the War of 1812?

Causes

• Long Term Causes– Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815)– France was defeated, but got revenge by supporting

American troops– This upset the British, and caused conflict

• Immediate Causes– British Interfered with American Merchant Ships– Americans were trying to expand into the Northwest– Americans accused British of supplying First Nations with

firearms– Americans were spreading propaganda against the

Canadas

EVENTS• In June of 1812, America declared war on

Britain. The War of 1812 was fought in many land battles, skirmishes and naval battles on the Great Lakes.

• Although the odds were against the British, sometimes it just takes a strong leader to change the tides of war. The British had two:– Sir Isaac Brock, a British Officer– Tecumseh, a Shawnee Chief

Sir Isaac Brock/ Tecumseh

• Early in the war, Brock commanded the troops in Upper Canada, and with Tecumseh he planned to stop the Americans before they could invade from the south.

• They decided to attack various American forts, only weeks after war was declared, catching the American troops completely unprepared.– Fort Michlimimackinac was captured without a

single shot being fired

The Battles1. Detroit

- With a force of only 400 soldiers and 600 First Nations, Brock and Tecumseh went to battle with the American General, General Hull.- Hull had over 2 500 soldiers at Fort Detroit

• 1. Con’t– Brock decided to use deception to scare General

Hull, dressing his militia in red soldiers’ uniforms, and had each man set his own cooking fire, instead of the usual 1 fire/3 or 4 men.• This made it seem like Brock had thousands, rather

than just hundreds of soldiers– Tecumseh did the same with his warriors, having

them constantly yell out battle cries to frighten the Americans

– General Hull feared for the lives of his men, and so surrendered without a battle even occurring

– Detroit secured the west and allowed for the defence of other parts of Upper and Lower Canada

• 2. Queenston Heights– One of the most famous battles, fought not far from

what is now Niagra-on-the-Lake– In October 1812, American soldiers moved from

New York State into the area and captured the high ground around Queenston

– General Brock rushed to the attack, using a small force to push the Americans back

– HOWEVER!! A sniper shot Brock and he died almost instantly

– His attack slowed the Americans enough to allow other British forces to advance and push the Americans back to New York• The British took almost 1000 American prisoners,

with very little loss

• 3. Beaver Dams (Thorold)– June 24, 1813– 550 Americans were camped at Queenston– The commander of the troops and his officers

were stationed at an inn, owned by James and Laura Secord

– Laura overheard the commander’s plans for attack, and in an act of bravery, rushed to tell British Colonel Fitzgibbon about the planned attack at Beaver Dams

– Due to Laura’s bravery, Fitzgibbons 80 soldiers and 250 First Nations men were able to prepare and then successfully defeat the AmericansVideo

• 4. Washington and Baltimore– In retaliation for Americans burning towns in

Upper Canada, the British forces attacked and burned Washington in August 1814

– They tried to do the same in Baltimore• Several British ships shelled Fort McHenry• The British ‘bombs bursting in air’ and the

Congreve ‘rockets’ red glare’, would become key parts of the American national anthem

VIP (Very Important Peoples)

- Quick Presentation of the following Individuals:- Tecumseh- Laura Secord- Sir Isaac Brock- Lt. Colonel John By

Sir Isaac Brock

Sir Isaac Brock (1769-1812)

Background• Joined the army at age of 18• Fought with Britain against France in the Seven Years’ WarAchievements• Tactics were beneficial in to the British in the War of 1812• Deceived General Hull in the battle DetroitSignificance• Ally with Shawnee Chief, Tecumseh• Helped to defend and protect Upper Canada• Died in Battle, at Queenston Heights

Tecumseh

TecumsehBackground• Great Shawnee Chief• In American Revolution, Americans destroyed Shawnee

villages• Tecumseh realized that British would help protect their rightsAchievements• Because he fought with Sir Isaac Brock, he was a recognized

ally to the BritishSignificance• Key to the fight between the British and the Americans• Helped defeat General Hull at the Battle of Detroit

Laura Secord

Laura Secord

Background• Born in Massachusetts• Married John Secord, and would later play a key role in

the Battle of Beaver DamAchievements• Successful warned General Fitzgibbon of American

attackSignificance• Without her bravery, Beaver Dam would have lost to

Americans, and Upper Canada would have been at risk for full invasion

Lieutenant- Colonel John By

Lieutenant- Colonel John By

Background• Military man, born in London, England• Not really in favour of fighting• Stationed in Lower Canada, in Quebec City since 1802Achievements• Helped design and build the Rideau Canal system, to transport

goods from the St. Lawrence, up to Ottawa• Made new fortifications for Quebec CitySignificance• Helped to expand infrastructure• Was charged with unauthorized spending, and shipped back to

Great Britain

The Treaty of Ghent

TASK

• Answer the “Flip Think” Questions on the back of the handout, ON LINED PAPER.

• Write in full sentences

• HAND IN, WITH YOUR NAME ON IT, when you are finished!

Effects of the War of 1812

• Some are good ! Some are Bad !

• Pgs H122-H123– Read as a class– Discuss– Complete the organizer, deciding what were:

– Long Term Effects– Short Term Effects– Positive Effects– Negative Effects

My Museum Exhibit

• One of the easiest ways to experience history first hand, is to visit and tour local museums. Museum Curators, the people who run museums, spend a lot of time deciding what their themes for their exhibits will be, and what kinds of things they would like to put on display.

• This is your chance to try and ‘build’ a museum exhibition of your own, for British North America and War of 1812.

Museum ‘Stuff’ to Consider

• Be interesting for your audience!• Include your location, hours of operation, etc.

• What information do you want to put on display (Use your notes as a source! Oh, annd the textbook).

• Put pictures, information blocks and anything else you think you may want to!

REVIEW!